Family Literacy Day
When we support the young mothers taking part in our reading circle programs, we know that we’re reaching two generations at once. A 
mother empowered by her own literacy skills and with an appreciation for books is likely to pass on a love of reading to her child, giving that child the best possible chance for future success. And so we’re happy to be celebrating Family Literacy Day on January 27th, a special event to highlight what goes on in our organization all year long. Click here to learn more about the benefits of early exposure to books and reading.
And here are some excellent family literacy resources:
- Free downloads from ABC Life Literacy Canada with literacy tips and resources
- Tips for reading to babies and children
- How to choose books for babies
- Why read to my baby?
- Great Canadian book recommendations for older kids
- How to read so your kids will listen
The secret lives of books
It’s no secret to us at Literature for Life that books are amazing objects with hidden lives of their own and far-reaching powers. So we are more than a bit in love with “The Joy of Books”, a stop-animation video that was filmed at Toronto’s Type Books and went viral last week. If you haven’t seen it yet, we’re happy to share.
Literature for Life celebrates the legacy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It all began after hearing a lecture on Mahatma Gandhi and the non-violent civil disobedience campaign that he used successfully against British rule in India.
Over the next few months, King read several books on the ideas of Gandhi, and eventually became convinced that the same methods could be employed by black people to obtain civil rights in America.
He was particularly struck by Gandhi’s words: “Through our pain we will make them see their injustice”.
Dr. King’s inspiration began with a story, which led him to a book, where words inspired him to become the icon hero he is today. (more…)
Literature for Life Joins Kobo’s Trillion Minute Reading Challenge!
Kobo has started a $10 Million Dollar Fund to support and promote reading!
For every 10 Million minutes read with Kobo up to 1 Trillion Minutes, they will support a school, group or organization that focuses on literacy and a passion for reading.
Let Kobo know Literature for Life demonstrates a passion and commitment to reading in the Toronto community and we might just be the recipient of an eReading program from Kobo including eReaders and eBooks!
How cool is that!
Join the Reading Revolution and Support Literature for Life with a nomination in the One Trillion Minute Reading Challenge today!
The Gift of Reading
Here at Literature for Life, we know the key to a child’s success in school is the mother’s love of reading and learning.
Our programs are effective in showing young moms how to create a family culture of literacy through reading; the gift that keeps giving.
Since 2000, we’ve distributed more than 20,000 books through our unique programming.
In doing this, we support young mothers in their roles as their child’s first teacher by helping them build family libraries for themselves and their children to enjoy.
Join us in Giving the Gift of Reading this Holiday Season!
Here are 3 ways you can help:
1. Purchase Holiday Gifts with Amazon.ca
Purchase your book and gift orders via www.literatureforlife.org and Amazon will donate a percentage of your total purchases to Literature for Life!
2. Direct your United Way Workplace Contributions to Literature Life
It’s easy. Choose the option “Yes” to designate your contributions and name Literature for Life as your Charity of Choice!
3. Make a committed Monthly Donation
Choose the Donate Now button on our website, and select the amount you’d like to donate to Literature for Life each month! You can also call us!
I am dreams
I am hope
I am possibilities
I am visions of my future
I am dreams
- Anitz Bristol
Wishing you all the best dreams for the Holiday Season and a New Year filled with possibilities.
Literature for Life launches a link to Amazon.ca to support Reading Circles
“Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled ‘This could change your life’.” ~Helen Exley
Looking to purchase a special book for the holidays ?
Every book, gift certificate or item you purchase from Amazon.ca through the Literatureforlife.org website generates revenue to support Literature for Life’s Reading Circle Programs.
Between 4%-8.5% of your total purchase will benefit Literature for Life program participants and their children!
Click on the Amazon.ca link and make this holiday special with a gift that keeps on giving by changing many lives.
Jo Altilia
Founding Executive Director
“Undeniably a success”
The Black, White and Read All Over Gala was profiled in the recent issue of Sway Magazine, and declared to be “undeniably a success”. The article quotes Literature for Life Ambassador Roots Kizzy: “I love the movement, I love the cause they’re working for right now. Building healthy women and children is important right now, especially for young Black women. It helped me to be able to interact, to be able to move into networking with women across the city. The writing circle is what helped build up my motivation because I was already writing and I was already performing and needed an outlet to explore different venues different people.”
Literature for Life profiled in Share
Literature for Life has been profiled in Share: Canada’s Largest Ethnic Newspaper. The piece outlines our programming, recaps the successful 3rd annual Black White and Read All Over Gala, and quotes the event’s Honorary Chair, Valerie Pringle:
“This organization is an absolute gem, partly because no one else is doing it and I think because it addresses such an important area of social injustice and it intervenes at such a critical point with young moms and their children and there is such an opportunity there,” said Pringle. “The genius is seeing this and acting and reaching out and making a difference…I think it’s a lovely concept to think of a mother as a child’s first teacher and supporting that mother and giving her the skills, the tools and really the self-esteem as well to move forward and to be able to make a difference and make changes in her own life.”
II: I am
I am St. Vincent.
I am beautiful
I am the soca land
I am the white sandy beach
I am St. Vincent
I am Kingfish
I am the fish who live in the sea, that I love to fry, cook and steam.
I am Kingfish.
I am what go around… when the time come you cant run.
I am Chante’
Beautiful like the moon, that shines in the night.
I am Chante’
I am 20
I am young
I am sexy
I am a proud mum.
I am 20
-Nathonally Williams
Literature for Life’s 3rd Annual Black White & Read All Over
A Photo Documentary by Amber King
A special thank you to all those who attended and supported Literature for Life’s 3rd Annual Black White & Read All Over.
On October 26, 2011, guests gathered at the RBC Plaza to celebrate 11 years of Literature for Life Reading Circle programming and the unleashing of intellectual potential.